Phosphorescent panel sign



ay 30, 1950 w. P. TAYLOR fl PHOSPHORESCENT PANEL SIGN Filed Sept. 26,1946 Patented May 30, 1950 UNITED: STATES i ATfiN-T OFFICEPHOSPHORESCENT PANEL SIGN Walter P. Taylor, NewRochelle, N. Y.

Application September 26, 1946, Serial No. 699,402

1 Claim.

This invention relates to signs, and particularly to those of a kindintended for use in darkened theatres, or various other places whereillumination is relatively poor, or under conditions where a lightingsource fails.

An object of the invention is to provide a Sign of this character inwhich a phosphorescent element is employed and which will glow toprovide a readable sign in utter darkness. Another object is to providethe phosphorescent material hearing the sign in such form and of suchnature that it can be used either in conjunction with a lighting meansand will, under such circumstances, constitute a translucent elementthrough which the light will be directed, or else it will, through itsphosphorescent constituent serve as a readable sign in the darknessafter the source of light has been cut off.

The invention has particular reference to signs used to designate exitsin hotels, factories, subways, theatres, auditoriums and other placesand which are ordinarily illuminated by electric lighting, and a sign ofthe present invention will be constructed to not only make use of suchelectric lighting but will also serve to designate the exits or the likeeven if the source of electric current is cut off.

The invention further contemplates the provision of sign material insheet form having phosphorescent characteristics and which absorbs lightduring the daylight hours to thereby later glow in the dark and providea well-illuminated and easily-read sign.

These and other objects are accomplished by the invention, a moreparticular description of which will hereinafter appear and be set forthin the claim appended hereto.

In the accompanying drawing, in which an i1- lustrative embodiment ofthe invention is disclosed, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a signconstructed in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional viewon the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig.3 is a front view of the sign panel, and Fig. 4 is a sectional view onthe line 44 of Fig 3, looking in the direction of the arrows.

With reference to the drawing, I indicates the panel which constitutesthe body of the sign. The same is composed of a sheet of plasticmaterial which contains, as a constituent, a phosphorescent materialwhich when subjected to artificial or natural light for a relativelyshort period of time will absorb the light and will cause the panel tolater glow in a phosphorescent manner for a lengthy period of time evenin utter darkness.

This panel is made in the form of a readable sign by having letters 5,or figures, or other reading matter, defined upon it by having thebackground of the panel between the letters coated with a suitable paintor other translucent or opague coating 6 in color difierent from theletters 5. It is obvious therefore, that when the panel is subjected tothe action of light, the lettering 5 on the same will thereafter glowphosphorescently in the dark for a relatively long period after thelight has been shut on. The coating 6 constituting the background forthe lettering may be applied to either both sides or only one side ofthe panel between the lettering.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawing, a panel Iconstructed as above described, is maintained in a suitable casing orbox 2, said panel constituting the front of the box, and located withinthe box and behind the panel I is one or more electric lamps 3, saidlamps being connected to a source of current in the conventional mannerby means of the cord or wire cable 4.

When the lamps 3 are lighted the same will direct their rays through theletters 5 on panel i and as the letters 5 are translucent and thebackground is of contrasting color of either trans lucent or opaquenature, the light rays directed through the letters will result in aclearly-defined sign of easily readable character. The direction of thelight rays against the lettering of the sign tends to subject thisportion of the sign to the efiects of light to thereby cause absorptionof the light. As a result, when the current to the lamps 3 is cut off,either intentionally or accidentally, the letters 5 will glowbrilliantly and phosphorescently even in total darkness for a ratherprotracted length of time. Thus, should current to the exit signs in atheatre or other place be cut off due to storm, fire or accident, a signof the kind described will continue to be clearly visible and lead theaudience to the exits in complete safety.

While a panel such as described is adapted for use in conjunction withan associated source of illumination, such a panel can be also usedindependently of a light source. That is to say, panels of thischaracter bearing reading matter can be placed at any desired locationswhere they will absorb daylight during the day or other light from otherlighting means with the result that they will continue to glow in totaldarkness. The advantages of such signs and the number of ways in whichthe same can be used will be readily apparent.

What I claim is:

A sign of the character described comprising, a panel in the form of asingle sheet of plastic material containing a substance causing thepanel to be light-absorptive and to phosphorescently glow in thedarkness, lettering on the panel defined by a coating applied to atleast one of the faces of the panel, said coating being applied to thepanel between the lettering, said coating rendering the phosphorescencyineifective in those portions of the panel wherein the said coating isapplied, the lettering being translucent, lightabsorptive andphosphorescent, and a source of light behind the panel directing raysthrough the lettering to illuminate the same and cause absorption of thelight, whereby the lettering will glow phosphorescently for asubstantial period of time after the light is extinguished.

WALTER P. TAYLOR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

